Hi, Our family lost their camping virginity (at a Caravan park) at Christmas time so sorry for the silly question...

We are planning some more camping trips but this time only for the weekend and are considering getting a smaller tent (we have a biggish 3 room dome tent - which was perfect for two weeks, but I can't say I want to put in up for only a couple of nights stay).

Given that we would only be camping for the weekend does anyone have any suggestions on what size tent we would need for 2 adults and 2 children to sleep plus a little space to store clothes etc. We know that a 4 man tent will only fit 4 bodies and not much else, we were thinking a 6 or 8 person tent however thought 8 man tent might be overdoing it.

I would stick with the three room tent, you will miss the space if you get something smaller and if the weather turns nasty like bucketing rain you will be glad of the extra space. Time to set up will get quicker as you get more practiced so save your money for other camping goodies instead!

Hey Leah, 4 times!!! wow!! I remember when we got our new dome tent many years ago we did the whole put it up in the backyard before going thing, and as usual for us it was a case of when all else fails read the instructions! During the errection process there was some pretty heated "discussion" and colourful language going on. It was only when we had finished we noticed the neighbours over the back fence were having an open home while trying to sell their house and the yard was full of prospective new buyers who would have gotten an earful of their prospective new neighbours We were in stitches for ages!! All part of the fun of camping hey!!

I'd have a look at the canvas touring tents as they take all of 5 minutes to erect and maybe 10 minutes to pack away. Erecting is just a matter of hammering pegs into the four corners and putting in the centre pole. Oztrail has some entry level ones around the $400 mark if I'm not mistaken. I have a similar one and it comfortably sleeps 2 adults / 2 children + luggage. The disadvantage is that when packed, they are still quite heavy and are usually 1m x 1m.

garbage wrote:I'd have a look at the canvas touring tents as they take all of 5 minutes to erect and maybe 10 minutes to pack away. Erecting is just a matter of hammering pegs into the four corners and putting in the centre pole. Oztrail has some entry level ones around the $400 mark if I'm not mistaken. I have a similar one and it comfortably sleeps 2 adults / 2 children + luggage. The disadvantage is that when packed, they are still quite heavy and are usually 1m x 1m.

Thanks for the advice - if we were staying for only a weekend would we still need a fly? I think for the moment we will stick to the 3 room dome tent however if just the 'boys' were to go away for a weekend I would imagine that this set up would work.

LeahS wrote:Thanks for the advice - if we were staying for only a weekend would we still need a fly? I think for the moment we will stick to the 3 room dome tent however if just the 'boys' were to go away for a weekend I would imagine that this set up would work.

Canvas tents don't really require a fly. They're very water proof as is.

Yes i have a Canvas tourer they are easy to erect and are roomy,mine you could easily fit 2 double mattresses and have two feet at the end of each to sit our gear, I got side poles as well so i can remove the centre pole and have a clear run and yes no matter how shorter stay i do as Gypsy said and put up a tarp, a MUST for all weather,then when you are outside the tent you still have cover to sit under,cook under,whatever;i am on my own and manage, so get the kids and hubby busy and you`ll be set up in no time.